New Delhi, July 31 (KNN) The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has strongly criticised the proposal of South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) to levy professional fees on self-employed persons and double property tax on rented commercial shops & offices and a new tax on transfer of properties.

The SDMC proposal has triggered a huge anger among traders of not only South Delhi but across Delhi.

The traders’ body has termed the proposals as "barbaric" particularly at a time when Delhi traders are in an unimaginable financial crisis due to COVID lockdown.

CAIT has demanded immediate withdrawal of such proposal and said that any act of bringing such anti-trader proposals will be bitterly opposed by traders.

''Delhi's business is already facing many problems, despite the shops being open, the footfall in the shops is very low as people are gripped with much fear of Corona and do not want to visit markets,'' said Praveen Khandelwal, Secretary General of the CAIT.

Like other sectors, the government has not given economic packages to traders and in such a situation it has become very difficult to operate business, Khandelwal said.

''To sprinkle salt on the burn. the South MCD has proposed such a proposal which will land the traders in great financial trouble,'' he added.

He further said that shops were closed during lock-down and there was no concession in rent rates which has forced many shops and offices in different areas of Delhi to shut down the shutters.

Khandelwal has demanded that South MCD should withdraw such proposal immediately. CAIT will soon meet Delhi BJP President Adesh Gupta, Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairman, Standing Committee and Leader of the House and will demand the withdrawal of this proposal.